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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
When Chompa uses her finger-magic to light a fire, little does she know that she has started a series of events that will endanger the lives of many. When her mother is kidnapped, Chompa uses the magic she was always forbidden from using to try and rescue her. But she will learn that not everyone can be trusted and that using her powerful magic comes at a price…
I enjoyed City of Stolen Magic because of the strong characters and the intense action. This is great choice for older children who love stories involving magic and strong female lead characters.
I loved how there was more than one kind of magic in the story, and each character had different skills and strengths and every one of them was important in how the action played out.
Chompa was a wonderful female heroine. She was brave and smart but also very caring and put the needs of others before her own.
Here is one of my favourite quotes:
“Hair was what princesses worried about, but in real life, it got in your eyes and mouth… Chompa threw the scarf aside. She was never going to be a princess. And she didn’t want to be one, either. She was something far more powerful. She was a witch.”
I also have a soft spot for Tipu, who proved he could stand up for himself and was an amazing and kind-hearted friend.
This is Nazneed Ahmed Pathak’s first novel, and I can’t wait to read what she dreams up next.
Note: Since this is a children’s book, I think it is important to let readers know that the story includes a death scene.
My thanks go to Puffin for sending me an ARC via NetGalley.
#CityofStolenMagic #NetGalley
I enjoyed City of Stolen Magic because of the strong characters and the intense action. This is great choice for older children who love stories involving magic and strong female lead characters.
I loved how there was more than one kind of magic in the story, and each character had different skills and strengths and every one of them was important in how the action played out.
Chompa was a wonderful female heroine. She was brave and smart but also very caring and put the needs of others before her own.
Here is one of my favourite quotes:
“Hair was what princesses worried about, but in real life, it got in your eyes and mouth… Chompa threw the scarf aside. She was never going to be a princess. And she didn’t want to be one, either. She was something far more powerful. She was a witch.”
I also have a soft spot for Tipu, who proved he could stand up for himself and was an amazing and kind-hearted friend.
This is Nazneed Ahmed Pathak’s first novel, and I can’t wait to read what she dreams up next.
Note: Since this is a children’s book, I think it is important to let readers know that the story includes a death scene.
My thanks go to Puffin for sending me an ARC via NetGalley.
#CityofStolenMagic #NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in advance of it being published. I really enjoyed the story line as it flowed nicely. The way in which the characters developed, was very interesting. I didn't want to put the book down, there was something in which they couldn't help but want to find out what happened next. There was something about the whole thing that it was amazing. For the age range this book is based off, it would be an amazing read for them.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In 1855, with India under the rule of the British, Chompa and her mother live on the outskirts of a rural village. To earn a living, Chompa's mother, Amina, provides the villagers with spells and amulets, for which the two of them are barely tolerated. Chompa can do magic too, of a different kind from her mother's, but she has been expressly forbidden from practising it. Of course, the best way to get a kid to do something you don't want them to is to tell them not to do it, so naturally Chompa tries out her magic, it goes horribly wrong, her mother has to intervene, certain villainous characters become aware of their whereabouts with the result being that Amina is taken away and Chompa is left all alone. That is until the arrival of Mohsin, a friend of her mother's, who turns up at the right time, and the two of them set off together to find Amina and free her from the nefarious Company, who have been capturing magic users from across the country. Their journey takes them all the way across the ocean to England and brings some new friends into Chompa's life.
There are things about this book I love and things that are keeping me from enthusiastically recommending it to a certain audience.
On the plus side, it's a fun and thoroughly entertaining story of friendship and magic. It provides a glimpse into life in India under the rule of their British colonizers as well as showing the existence of Asian and African communities in London even way back when this story was set. Readers are introduced to lascars, the exploitation of people under the name of indentureship and for the first time ever, I encountered a character with alopecia. Jinn are all the rage in fantasy stories these days and there are plenty in this one as well. Overall it is a well thought-out and well written story with interesting characters.
Now I can see Muslim parents getting excited about this book, given the author's name and the cover illustration of the main character in the dupatta. Let me just say that you might want to read the book first before deciding whether to pass it on to your kids. Prophet Suleiman (peace be upon him) is mentioned here but he is portrayed as a legendary sorcerer. The magic in the story is largely dependent on the aid of jinns or the use of amulets; from the author's note, the latter is based on the belief that amulets containing verses from the Qur'an will somehow protect its wearer, which she evidently believes is Islamically accurate.
And finally, something for all parents to take note, there is a character who commits su!cide by self immolation. The topic of death is not something entirely foreign to MG books but I feel like the act here was addressed too casually and even portrayed in a positive light. Taking all this into consideration, I would say it is more suitable for older kids and even then may be better when read and discussed with a parent.
There are things about this book I love and things that are keeping me from enthusiastically recommending it to a certain audience.
On the plus side, it's a fun and thoroughly entertaining story of friendship and magic. It provides a glimpse into life in India under the rule of their British colonizers as well as showing the existence of Asian and African communities in London even way back when this story was set. Readers are introduced to lascars, the exploitation of people under the name of indentureship and for the first time ever, I encountered a character with alopecia. Jinn are all the rage in fantasy stories these days and there are plenty in this one as well. Overall it is a well thought-out and well written story with interesting characters.
Now I can see Muslim parents getting excited about this book, given the author's name and the cover illustration of the main character in the dupatta. Let me just say that you might want to read the book first before deciding whether to pass it on to your kids. Prophet Suleiman (peace be upon him) is mentioned here but he is portrayed as a legendary sorcerer. The magic in the story is largely dependent on the aid of jinns or the use of amulets; from the author's note, the latter is based on the belief that amulets containing verses from the Qur'an will somehow protect its wearer, which she evidently believes is Islamically accurate.
And finally, something for all parents to take note, there is a character who commits su!cide by self immolation. The topic of death is not something entirely foreign to MG books but I feel like the act here was addressed too casually and even portrayed in a positive light. Taking all this into consideration, I would say it is more suitable for older kids and even then may be better when read and discussed with a parent.
I left it too long between putting it down and picking it up again
There was a lot I loved about this book - I loved Chompa and the vibe of the book felt like a classic written in the period. The magic system was really well crafted and is a highlight of the book. The sensory details, particularly of the food and the ship made me love the story.
I had a harder time with the POV shifts and wish we could have maybe stayed with Chompa the whole time, but it could be because I listened to this book as an audiobook and between this and a bit of head hopping I sometimes got disoriented as to wear I was.
I don't want to go into spoilers, but the end is where the story kind of fell apart. There is a significant twist that didn't add up for me, and then it got reversed a little closer to the very close. It left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
However, there was so much to love in most of the book, I'm looking forward to what other stories Pathak will release.
I had a harder time with the POV shifts and wish we could have maybe stayed with Chompa the whole time, but it could be because I listened to this book as an audiobook and between this and a bit of head hopping I sometimes got disoriented as to wear I was.
I don't want to go into spoilers, but the end is where the story kind of fell apart. There is a significant twist that didn't add up for me, and then it got reversed a little closer to the very close. It left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
However, there was so much to love in most of the book, I'm looking forward to what other stories Pathak will release.
I kinda lost interest in the book. It was kinda interesting at first but I'm definitely not the age group for this book and just didn't find it in me to finish it...
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I need everyone to go and support this book and Nazneen right now
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you Netgalley and Puffin for this eCopy to review
I was captivated by Pathak's descriptions of Indian and Victorian London, I really enjoyed the City of Stolen Dreams especially the relationship between Chompa and her mother. Chompa is desperate to use her powerful finger magic and cannot understand why her mother says no. Chompa uses it anyway and is devastated by the consequences. Ultimately her mother is kidnapped by the British. Chompa sets out on a quest to find her mother and this leads to her investigating why people with magic are being kidnapped. She meets lots of new friends along the way who help her.
I was captivated by Pathak's descriptions of Indian and Victorian London, I really enjoyed the City of Stolen Dreams especially the relationship between Chompa and her mother. Chompa is desperate to use her powerful finger magic and cannot understand why her mother says no. Chompa uses it anyway and is devastated by the consequences. Ultimately her mother is kidnapped by the British. Chompa sets out on a quest to find her mother and this leads to her investigating why people with magic are being kidnapped. She meets lots of new friends along the way who help her.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Death of parent